Overview
- Google removed AI Overviews for searches including “what is the normal range for liver blood tests” and “what is the normal range for liver function tests,” following reports they could mislead patients.
- The Guardian’s investigation found the summaries listed “normal” liver test ranges without factoring in age, sex, ethnicity, nationality or lab methods, risking false reassurance for seriously ill people.
- A Google spokesperson said the company won’t comment on specific removals, noted an internal clinician review found many examples were supported by reputable sources, and said broader improvements are in progress.
- Reporters observed that variations such as “lft reference range” could still surface AI summaries, which Google said it is reviewing, though subsequent checks showed some of those prompts no longer display AI Overviews.
- Health advocates, including the British Liver Trust, welcomed the removals but warned that differently worded queries can still produce misleading guidance, underscoring ongoing concerns about AI-generated health information.